From Blade To Spell

Then Aaron called out again,

"Alright, hurry up and eat the coconuts. After that, we sail again. Jack and Blake, once you're done, head to the shore and collect more coconuts. I'll join you."

Jack and Blake responded in unison,

"Yes, Lord Aaron!"

During the afternoons, coconuts had become the staple meal. They were easy to consume, refreshing, and surprisingly filling.

After the meal, Aaron watched the sailors loading coconuts along the shore. He turned to Captain Monga and asked, "Captain Monga, how far is Cotton Town?"

Captain Monga was momentarily stunned by the question. Then, with a hint of confusion, he replied, "Lord Aaron, Cotton Town isn't located along the Blue Sea. It's near the Black River. If we were traveling by road, we'd have to cross the Black River and then continue on to Green Fort."

He paused and added, "Of course, Lord Aaron, we'll soon cross the Black River anyway. It eventually dyes the sea black in that region."

Aaron nodded in understanding, "Alright. And how many more days until we reach Green Fort?"

Captain Monga replied, "If the weather stays sunny, we'll arrive in six days. But if it rains, we'll need to dock and wait for the storm to pass."

Aaron glanced up at the sky. Though it hadn't rained in recent days, the clouds had thickened ominously. He had a feeling the rain would come soon.

Just then, Captain Monga added in a more serious tone,

"Lord Aaron, if it rains, we must be cautious. Some monsters from the deep sea rise to the surface during storms. They usually stay away from the shore, but there are always exceptions."

Aaron replied calmly, "As long as their strength doesn't reach Great Knight level, I can handle them."

Captain Monga felt a wave of relief. He knew that such monsters rarely approached the shore, most were Knight Apprentice level, and only on rare occasions did Knight-level threats appear.

Two days later.

Aaron stood on the deck, fully armed.

A bow and quiver rested on his back, and a bone dagger hung at his waist.

Dark clouds loomed overhead. Lightning cracked across the sky. Cold winds blew fiercely, and the waves had begun to rise.

From the helm, he could hear Captain Monga shouting orders, "Row toward the shore! Steady the ship!"

A few minutes later, heavy rain began to pour. On the deck, only Captain Monga and Aaron remained. On the ship behind them, Jake and Blake stood firm, guiding the sailors through the storm.

Captain Monga, Jake, and Blake shouted orders, trying to keep the crew steady. Aaron, meanwhile, watched the lightning strikes crackling across the sea's surface, thankfully still far from their location.

Suddenly, a massive fish leapt out of the water and dove back down. Aaron's eyes widened. He quickly opened the map and saw a red dot marked with question marks, just four kilometers from their position.

A wave of dread washed over him. He considered opening his stats and using all his experience points to level up.

But then, the red dot began to move away. Aaron exhaled in relief.

Just as he relaxed, a new threat emerged. A swarm of Silvery White Fish rushed toward them at full speed.

Aaron's heart tightened. Each fish had a pointed nose, like swordfish from his previous life. Even more alarming, they were all Level 2 or higher.

Captain Monga's voice cracked with panic, "L… Lord… A… Aaron… Those… are White Death…"

Aaron didn't waste a second. He grabbed his bow and an arrow, aimed, and fired.

Woosh!

The arrow struck true, killing the first fish instantly.

Then, with rapid precision, Aaron continued firing. Each shot was deadly, each movement fluid.

Captain Monga watched in stunned silence.The Death Fish were falling at an astonishing rate. Some even began to change direction, retreating.

Relief flooded his chest.

A few minutes later, Aaron lowered his bow. Captain Monga wiped the rain and sweat from his face and said, "Lord Aaron… you're incredible. Sailors who've seen White Death rarely return alive. Even those near the shore lose limbs."

Aaron asked, "Death Fish… are they common?"

Captain Monga shook his head, "I don't know. All I've heard is that during thunderstorms, they rise from the deep and attack ships like mad. Their pointed heads pierce hulls easily, sinking boats. And they eat sailors alive."

He paused, voice low, "One sailor who barely escaped said he saw his crewmate eaten alive, turned into a skeleton in mere breaths."

He patted his chest, "Thankfully, this was a small group, no more than a hundred. If it had been a large swarm… we'd be done for."

Aaron stood quietly, thoughtful. But deep down, fear lingered in his heart.

At the same time, Aaron opened the map and spotted a potential landing site just 400 meters away.

He hoped nothing would happen before they reached it. 

But then, at the spot where he had killed the Death Fish, several red dots appeared, marked Level 8 and 9. He watched as the slain Death Fish were dragged below the surface.

Aaron quickly refilled his quiver, preparing for another fight. But the red dots didn't move toward their direction. 

He exhaled in relief.

Half an hour later, Captain Monga rang the bell, signaling that they were docking ashore.

Aaron felt a wave of relief. After the anchor was dropped, sailors took thick ropes and used a raft to tie them around nearby trees.

Aaron headed below deck to change his clothes, he was completely drenched. Though his physique protected him from illness, it was better to be cautious.

A few minutes later, Rita approached him.

"Lord Aaron, if we travel in this weather, there's a high chance the sailors might fall ill, cold and fever are likely."

Aaron nodded while drying his hair with a cloth, "Did anyone below get wet?"

Rita shook her head, "No, everything below deck stayed dry."

Aaron felt reassured, "Good. Then stay here. I'll speak with Captain Monga about setting up camp."